In the absence of Philippe Rogge (President), Mark Hermann was the AGM Chairman.

1. NATIONAL CLASS ASSOCIATIONS

Voting cards were distributed to the National Class Association representatives based on the 2001 IFA dues received.

2. MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the 2000 AGM were approved

3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS

Verbal reports were received from the Vice President Sailing on behalf of the President and Vice-Presidents.

Richard Hart, Technical Committee Chairman introduces all technical issues as well as stressing out a few points on the Measurement Certificates not being properly filled by the sailors.

The 2000 accounts were circulated but the Treasurer plane was delayed and therefore couldn't present his report.

REPORT OF THE IFA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, September 2001

"One indication of how well an Olympic class is managing its measurement affairs is given by the problems that do or do not arise at the measurement for the Olympic Games. In 2000, for the first time, Finn sailors used their own boats, placing far greater pressure on our rules. Juri Saraskin our Chief Measurer was in attendance with ISAF officials, and it is pleasing to record that no great problems arose with regard to measurement or application of the rules. In these circumstances it was unfortunate that one mast was found to have lead inside, instead of the specified external correctors, and that the press were able to raise headlines accordingly.

This year, a problem over Rudder shape arose during measurement at the Europeans. We feel that it is necessary to draw attention to Rule 1. 4. 7, which states that "Builders should not attempt to get around the spirit or the letter of these rules to produce boats which are intended to be basically faster. They should note that building tolerances are intended only for the purpose of accommodating accidental errors and distortions. ²We believe that the above is clear, and that there is no need to supplement it with volumes of extra specification.

The year has seen the introduction of measurement for masts before the mast is first sold, and of IFA stickers for masts. This was introduced as directed by the IFA Council last year and seems to be so successful that we are now considering the introduction of"Grandfather" mast stickers for pre-existing plastic masts. Both mast and sail makers have the problem that they may be far away from their country's official Finn Measurer, and it is felt that a system providing for "restricted" measurers, allowing them to measure in-house for masts or sails as appropriate, would be of general benefit. In allowing this, it was considered reasonable to require that the manufacturer certify that he has made the item to the Finn rules, and that he believes that the item has been measured properly (in particular, that the measurer he has employed is trained and authorised to carry out the measurement). Jan van der Horst from the Netherlands highlighted some of these problems, and he has worked with various TC and Executive members to develop a modified Mast Measurement Card. This will be proposed for the approval of Council at the AGM in Marblehead.

One function of TC is to propose to the class Council (AGM) any desirable rule changes, in order to allow development as new materials and techniques appear. The rate of change must be managed so that we neither change so fast that life becomes un-necessarily expensive, nor so slowly that we become fossilised (which was becoming the case in the late 1980s). Also there is no point in allowing some development that would simply cause everybody to spend money for the sake of change.

This year is the stage of the Olympic cycle when any significant rule alterations should be proposed to the ISAF. They must first be proposed (by TC or by National Associations) to the IFA Council (AGM) at Marblehead in September. Rule submissions must be sent in draft form to ISAF during August, so we must make provisional submissions before our AGM. To avoid a chicken-and-egg situation, suggestions from various members (including TC) were brought before a sailors' meeting during the European Championship at Malcesine in early July. Those items that seemed to receive general approval were being drawn to the attention of TC members who were not present. The agreed, the items are proposed to our AGM, and have been sent as provisional submissions to ISAF. If our Council does not support a provisional submission, we simply notify ISAF and they don't discuss it.

Subject to agreement from TC, the following rule changes will be proposed to Council:

1. Change method to measure play in mast bearings: test by comparing mast rakes with the mast pulled forward and pushed back.

In conclusion, we would like to add a request to all sailors. The class has had good measurement procedures for forty years, but the system is being let down by our own apathy towards paperwork. At the Europeans, I saw Juri Saraskin, Mr Atz (leading a very successful team of Italian measurers) and Corinne all struggling not with some obscure measurement problem, but with trying to get the certification paperwork sorted for various boats. Please, can you set a target for next year: make sure that your Certificate is fully signed and sorted, and make sure that you have a Rule Book (supplied by IFA), also Mast, Rudder and Boom Measurement Cards, all of which are required by the Rules. As measurement before sale is now required for Masts (and Sails), the manufacturer should provide you with the card when the mast is sold to you, and you should give the buyer the card if you sell the mast. "

Richard Hart.

Chairman, Technical Committee.

COMPOSITION OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

In addition to the existing members, Jan van der Horst from the Netherlands has been proposed by Richard Hart for all the work and development he carried out this year for the mast measuring system and mast card.

4. ACCOUNTS

(a)The IFA accounts of 2000 (previously circulated) were approved.

5. ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO IFA COMMITTEES

(a)The members of the Executive Committee were unanimously approved as follows

The Gold Cup organisers offered to organise Ferry discount from Italy to Greece and Turkey, and if possible free transport for boats and cars from Turkey to Greece. The course area will be the one to be used for the 2004 Olympics.

(b)Bids were received to host the following IFA Championships:

(i)2003 Finn European Championship

Bids were received from the following Marstrand, Sweden and Steinhude, Germany.

A presentation was made by Kristian Aderman for Marstrand, for the Championship to be held mid-June. The Council voted unanimously for Marstrand, Sweden

(ii)2004 Europeans

A bid was proposed by La Rochelle, France but the IFA council will vote for this event at the 2002 AGM

7. IFA RULES AND CONSTITUTION

(a). A proposal was presented by the British Finn Association regarding the racing format under 12 knots. They recommended a "square course" with a gate at the leeward mark (proposition 1). Following this proposal, suggestions were made to keep the Trapezoid course and add a gate at the bottom (proposition 2), and another one was to have a windward/leeward race with an offset mark at the top and a gate at the bottom (proposition 3).

Vote of the council gave: 2 voices in favour of Proposition 1, 6 voices in favour of proposition 2 and 10 for the third proposition.

Therefore, IFA rule will be amended as follow: " under 12 knots, the course will be a windward/leeward race with an offset mark at the top and a gate at the bottom".

(b). The following proposals have been previously discussed at the European championship and presented to ISAF last August:

1. 5. 3. 2Add new rule:A person who is an interested party as described by Rule 1. 5. 3. 1 may be approved as in Rule 1. 5. 1. 1 for the measurement of masts, booms, sails or rudders at the manufacturer's premises.

Voted unanimously in favour

Reason for changes:

In response to incidents of unmeasured equipment being presented at Regatta check measurements, the class has recently required that measurement of masts and sails be carried out before the item leaves manufacturers' premises. The class wishes to facilitate this process by allowing in-house measurement for these items, as already allowed in various other classes.

Comment:

Rule 1. 5. 1. 1 defines National Measurers who are approved by the National Sailing Authority and the National Finn Association.

Rule 4. 2. 6. 3Mast Bearing Play.

Old Rule:

4. 2. 6. 3The horizontal play of the mast at the bearing surfaces on the boat shall be not more than 5mm at the deck and 5mm at the heel bearing, including play of the deck and heel bearing adjustment systems.

New Rule:

4. 2. 6. 3The fore-and-aft movement at the masthead due to play at the deck and heel bearing systems, shall not exceed [10cm], when measured in the prescribed manner. [Insert description of test by comparing mast rakes with the mast pulled forward and pushed back].

Voted unanimously in favour

Reason for change:

The present rule 4. 2. 6. 3 requires measurement of mast play at Deck and Heel bearings. These measurements are difficult to make in regatta conditions. The new proposal has been tried over several years at regatta measurements and has proved acceptable and repeatable.

4. 6. 2. 3The diameters of the bearings on the mast at Deck and heel shall be not less than 75mm and 63mm respectively. The mast bearing surfaces shall be rigidly fixed to the mast.

New Rule:

4. 6. 2. 3Add at end of existing Rule:

"Standard sizes are recommended for mast bearings and boom attachments. Masts complying should be marked "C" near the boom attachment.

The diameter of the standard mast bearing at the deck shall be [xxx mm, tolerance -3 to 0 mm].

The diameter of the standard mast bearing at the heel shall be [xx mm, tolerance -3 to 0 mm]. "

The standard boom shall be attached by a standard fork fitting on the mast. The width between arms of the fork shall be minimum 37 mm, maximum 40 mm. A pin shall be provided, diameter [16 mm] (tolerance 0 to -1 mm). The hole shall be [16 mm] diameter (tolerance 0 to +1 mm). It shall be centred not less than. 821 mm above the heel and not more than [59 mm] aft of the "Aft Edge Line".

When plastic masts were introduced, previous recommendations were withdrawn, to allow natural selection of good engineering solutions. The solutions are very similar to each other and leadership from the rules is now considered beneficial. In particular a standard for the boom attachment will assist with compliance and verification for the outer coloured band position when a competitor changes masts during a regatta.

Rule 4. 6. 5. 1Mast Labels.

Old Rule:

4. 6. 5. 1Every mast built after 1March 2001 shall have an IFA Mast Label attached between the Deck Bearing and the Boom Attachment.

4. 6. 5. 2This may be issued by class officials on production of the completed Mast Measurement Card for the mast.

Voted unanimously in favour

Reason for change:

This would help to bring all modern masts within a uniform verification system.

Rule 4. 7. 3. 4Recommended Standards for Boom Attachments to Masts

Old Rule:None

New Rule:

4. 7. 3. 4Standard sizes are recommended for boom attachments. Booms complying should be marked "C" near the boom attachment.

The standard boom shall be attached to the mast by a standard fork fitting. The pinhole shall be [16 mm] diameter (tolerance 0 to +1 mm). It shall be centred not less than. 41 mm below the top of the boom.

In compliance with Rule 4. 7. 3. 2, the distinctively coloured band on the boom shall be not more than [3211 mm] from the centre of the boom pinhole, measured along the top of the boom.

5. 7On a free leg of the course, when surfing (rapidly accelerating down the leeward side of a wave) or planning is possible, the helmsman may, in order to initiate surfing or planning, pump the sheet, but not more than three times for each wave or gust of wind. (Alters RRS 42. 3 (b). )

New Rule:

5. 7. 1In alteration to RRS 42. 3 (b):

Except on a beat to windward, when surfing (rapidly accelerating down the leeward side of a wave) or planning is possible, the helmsman may pull the sheet in order to initiate surfing or planning, but not more than three times for each wave or gust of wind.

5. 7. 2In alteration to RRS 42:

. 1Flag [2nd. Substitute] displayed at the start or near a mark, indicates that: "After starting or rounding the nearby mark, RRS 42 is varied in that except on a beat to windward, pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted. "

The provisions of 5. 7. 2. 1 are intended for application when stronger wind and wave conditions are present.

Reason for change:

In moderate and strong winds, acts of seamanship to prevent capsize are sometimes indistinguishable from pumping. The Finn Class wish to experiment with a "pumping flag" system. Pumping would be allowed in moderate and stronger wind and wave conditions where pumping is not related to propulsion by fanning the boat along. Sailors would be able to enjoy the waves without artificial limitations, and the need for difficult judgements from Jury boats would be avoided.

For an initial trial period, the Class would recommend to Race Officers that they allow pumping in winds of 15 kts and over.

After discussion a vote was made to choose between a wind limit of 12, 15, 18 and 20 knots.

Suppliers of International Finn Class Masts. . . . etc. (not more than one line)

This is to Certify that the Mast has been built in accordance with the current Rules of the International Finn Class, that the Mast Label has been correctly obtained fromthe International Finn Association, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the mast has passed correct measurement from the authorized Measurer below.

The card would be available in electronic form, for reproduction at A5 size. The reverse side would be available for use by the manufacturer, and could be used to record the mast bend characteristics.

Reasons for Change:

The Class has recently introduced the requirement that masts be measured before leaving the manufacturer, which makes some updating desirable. If approved by ISAF, the measurement may be done in-house. The new card shows who has made the mast; it includes the manufacturer's certification that he has made the mast to the rules and used an authorized measurer.

(c). Every Olympic year, the Senior Finn fleet would like to extend an invitation to the Master Fleet to race in the Finn Gold Cup or European Championship, depending on location.

(d). The ISAF eligibility code will be applied to entries to the Finn Gold Cup and European Championship.

(e). The IFA secretary will be invited by the organisers to the European Championship every year and to the Master's World Championship every 2 years.

8. MEASUREMENT CONTROLS

In order to facilitate access and control the Finns Measurement certificates, the Executive Director will be keeping record of every measurement certificates issued. These records will be accessible at Major events and copies will be delivered at a minimal fee.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a). The proposal from Robert Deaves, FINNFARE Editor, regarding a "FINNFARE ONLY" subscription was not accepted by Council. Voted by 5 in favour, 11 against.

(b). Tim Tavinor presented a mast section in carbon, made in the UK. This mast could be made into a 2-piece mast, could be made with a weight of 6kgs and a bend characteristics of these of current masts. It would cost £770. Informal discussions established the interest of sailors for this kind of product.

TC were instructed to consider rule changes which would encourage the adoption of cheaper masts, and to consult with current and prospective manufacturers with a view to the development of prototype examples. TC Chairman stressed that any such development would not be such as to render existing masts instantly obsolete.